The Legitimate Peaky Blinders Festival, Day 2, 15 September 2019
The ‘20s theme followed through into Sunday with more live music and style. The majority of people were new on the Sunday as the tickets were sold for each day separately, but I was more than pleased to see that everyone still had their three-piece suit and oversized coat on or sparkly dress and feather headband. The weather was probably too warm for the coats but that didn’t stop the Peaky fans from getting into character. The effort most people put into their outfits was really impressive and it played a massive role in the success of the festival.
The Pearl Harts took over the Main Stage and put on one of my favourites acts from the festival. Kirsty on vocals and guitar and Sara on vocals and drums are a powerful duo who creates bluesy rock in a unique style. The crowd was really big, especially for a 3pm set, and you could hear the songs with their catchy choruses being sung along. While they played songs like ‘Suck It Up’, ‘Hurt’ and —my personal favourite- ‘Black Blood’, other artists and Anthony Byrne, the director of the fifth series, were all peaking from backstage, because who would want to miss their act?!
Having composed the musical score for the latest season of the series, there was no doubt that Anna Calvi would be present – on both days! She was accompanied by Johnny Beth and Richard Hawley, and what a show they put on! Calvi and Beth were a match made in heaven, their personalities dancing together on stage, while Hawley contrasted perfectly Calvi’s powerful vocals and dramatic riffs with his calm raw voice and soft guitar picking. To try to put it in a few words: Anna Calvi put on a spectacular performance that left everyone speechless! With her signature red in the background, her breath-taking guitar solos seemed to transport her in a world of her own. The highlights were definitely the cover of Nick Cave’s ‘The Red Hand Man’, the Peaky Blinders theme song, and of course ‘Strange Weather’ and ‘Don’t Beat the Girl out of My Boy’.
“We’re all just human beings with technical difficulties” — this is how the Slaves presented themselves, while stopping the set after 30 seconds to fix the drums. Probably the most impressive thing about the duo is this — it’s just a duo! Only two people could create more energy during the whole show than many bands with more members can! Isaac Holman (vocalist, drummer) and Laurie Vincent (guitarist, vocalist), with their mastered on-stage personas, blasted an anger burst covered in some of the best English punk rock. While Laurie proved his guitar skills all around the stage, with a lot of jumping and screaming, Isaac went from hitting the drums to telling stories and jokes, and even walking through the excited crowd, who was trying to grab a selfie to prove how close they got to their music idol. The fans proved their devotion by singing and dancing during the whole performance, but the high points were definitely ‘The Hunter’ and ‘Sockets’.
Last – but not least – act was the awaited Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, who put an end to the 1920’s festival. It’s safe to say that they definitely didn’t disappoint. Their performance was pure chaos which made the crowd dance straight away. But that wasn’t all about it! They are a proactive band who raises awareness about problems that most people face all the time and some are still ignorant of. They intensely focus on people, because they know that a band is nothing without their fans, but it’s more than just the fame. When he writes the songs, Frank Carter shows his vulnerabilities and tries to be as honest as possible about what he’s been through and the messages he wants to send to the world. While witnessing their live performance, I noticed immediately the deep connection he and his band could create with their audience and how they give people power through their songs as they sing along and feel the meanings behind the lyrics.
Between every song, Carter was not afraid to put himself out there and talk about what’s behind each song. While talking about poor self-image and not liking what you see in the mirror, he asked everyone to call someone after, to just listen to them and tell them how important they are to them, because “This might save their life, and one day they might save yours.” At some point Frank also asked for a women-only mosh pit. I saw a few confused men who seemed like they were about to get offended, but Frank explained the day-by-day issues that men don’t have to deal with and many are still not aware of them. He wanted to create a space where women would feel safe, where they could just have a positive experience without having to worry about unwanted touching or attention, at least at their gigs. These were just a few things The Rattlesnakes are trying to change about the world. From an interview I found made by Dork, Frank Carter says: “All you have to do in life is keep going. We’re not here to give up.” And all of these are just a few reasons why their band just keeps getting more and more love.
Luna Kiss burst onto the BBC Introducing stage with a lot of contagious energy and confidence that made the crowd jump up and down the whole time. The 10-songs act covered alternative rock tunes from their last album like ‘Not Afraid, ‘Skin Up’ and ‘Gravity’, which made it really easy for the crowd to dance and enjoy their time. All the members of the band put on an electrifying performance which only proved that they definitely belong on the stage and if they keep going they can get bigger and bigger!
The Carousel Stage didn’t disappoint on the second day of the festival either. With jazzy bands like Thrill Collins, Electric Swing Circus, Swingrowers and The Correspondents, the boogie only continued, with sounds from the 20s but with a modern twist, the stage being surrounded at all times by people laughing and dancing.
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As the Arena Stage was further away (and there were literally no signs around), I almost missed what was definitely one of the highlights of the whole festival. Rambert brought together dancers who performed an original Peaky Blinders inspired ballet, choreographed by Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer. Everyone was holding in their breath as they were witnessing the dramatic moves of the dancers who recreated the Peaky world, wearing the appropriate clothes and putting together some specific scenes. The attitudes, melodramatic music and tension made it seem like a more delicate version of the beloved series.
Boxing ring + family meeting
What would the Peaky Blinders world be without the fights and the family meetings? A pre-arranged space held the family meetings, where all the actors had to be present, some with bruises, some without, but all of them scared by Tommy’s character. From the family meeting, the ‘Shelbys’ would go to witness the fights, which took place in a boxing ring. They took place a few times a day and they were all quite realistic and very exciting, so it’s not a surprise that they were one of the festival goers’ favourites.
I caught one of the talks with Steven Knight, the creator of the series. The cast was also supposed to be there but it seemed like they went missing. I tried to go to one on Saturday as well but it didn’t take place even though it was announced on their website and I heard many people being quite upset about it. Knight read a few pages from his mom’s journals, where she talked about her life in Small Heath in the 20s and many facts that form the base of the Peaky Blinders. He and Anthony Byrne then answered a few questions about the new season and the future of the series, revealing a future film and annual legitimate festivals in Birmingham, London and Boston, but then they quickly ended the 20 minutes session which was supposed to be one hour long.
Some down sides were the pricey tickets (especially the VIP ones which didn’t offer a lot more to justify the difference in prices) and the lack of signs, which basically meant that most people were only attending what they were stumbling upon, and even if there was a really nice atmosphere around —the street actors definitely helped with that-, being confused and missing some acts just because you can’t find then it’s not great. It seemed that people expected more but I guess it can be justified by the fact that there only about two months to prepare for the festival, as Steven Knight revealed.
Overall, it was amazing — which was expected as everything was “by the orders of the Peaky Blinders”. Even if you came for the Peaky world, the musical acts or just to get dressed up along with the others, there was definitely something for everyone to enjoy. Looking forward to the second edition next year, I think everyone has high expectations especially now that they have a lot more time to organise it.
Review and Photos By Andra Tudoran